User-actuatable touch control for an ear-worn electronic device

ABSTRACT

An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audio processing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing and comprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. A controller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audio processing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitry are disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises the first and second charge contacts.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/US2021/030147, filed Apr. 30, 2021, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/044,299, filed Jun. 25, 2020, the contentof which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to ear-level electronic systems anddevices, including hearing devices, personal amplification devices,hearing aids, hearables, physiologic monitoring devices, biometricdevices, position and/or motion sensing devices, and other ear-wornelectronic devices.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer.Electronic circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the electroniccircuitry. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitry aredisposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the first and second charge contacts.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer.Electronic circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the electroniccircuitry. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitry aredisposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the first and second charge contacts.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the controller.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer.Electronic circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the electroniccircuitry. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitry aredisposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprise first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the controller.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a charger interface. The charger interface canbe configured for wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable controlis coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer.Electronic circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the electroniccircuitry. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitry aredisposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a charger interface. The charger interface canbe configured for wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable controlis coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a charger interface. The charger interface canbe configured for wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable controlis coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor. The touchsensor comprises at least one auxiliary sensor.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device comprising ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer.Electronic circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the electroniccircuitry. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitry aredisposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a charger interface. The charger interface canbe configured for wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable controlis coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor. The touchsensor comprises at least one auxiliary sensor.

Embodiments are directed to a method implemented by an ear-wornelectronic device comprising sensing, by a touch sensor of the ear-wornelectronic device, a touch input resulting from one or more events ofcontact between the touch sensor and a finger of a wearer of the device.The method comprises generating, by the touch sensor, a touch signal inresponse to the touch input. The method also comprises receiving thetouch signal by a controller of the device. The method further comprisesimplementing, by the controller, a device setting, function or operationin response to the received touch signal.

The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodimentor every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and thedetailed description below more particularly exemplify illustrativeembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the specification reference is made to the appended drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ear-worn electronic device whichincludes a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor inaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 shows a touch sensor of an ear-worn electronic device and anoutput signal generated by the touch sensor, the touch sensor comprisingfirst and second charge contacts in accordance with any of theembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an ear-worn electronic device whichincludes a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor inaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 shows a touch sensor of an ear-worn electronic device and anoutput signal generated by the touch sensor, the touch sensor comprisingfirst and second charge contacts and an auxiliary sensor in accordancewith any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an ear-worn electronic device whichincludes a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor inaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 shows a touch sensor of an ear-worn electronic device and anoutput signal generated by the touch sensor, the touch sensor comprisingfirst and second charge contacts and an auxiliary sensor in accordancewith any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an ear-worn electronic device whichincludes a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor inaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates a touch detection circuit integral or coupled to auser-actuatable control of an ear-worn electronic device in accordancewith any of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an ear-worn electronic device which includesa user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor in accordance withany of the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an ear-worn electronic device whichincludes a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor in ofaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of controlling an ear-worn electronicdevice using a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor inaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in thefigures refer to like components. However, it will be understood thatthe use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is notintended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the samenumber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventional hearing devices typically rely on an electromechanicalswitch or push button to increase volume, change memory presets, or turnthe device on or off. While the component cost itself is modest, themethod of assembly and retention adds cost and complex assemblyprocedures. A conventional electromechanical switch or push button is apoint of ingress for electrostatic discharge (ESD) and foreignmaterials, and also reduces waterproofing. To date, inertial measurementunit (IMU) switching, capacitive touch, and other methods of solid-stateactuation have proven either too complex or prone to false actuation.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an ear-worn electronicdevice which includes a user-actuatable control comprising a touchsensor. The term ear-worn electronic device (e.g., device 100 a, 100 b,100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f shown in the figures) refers to a widevariety of electronic devices configured for deployment in, on or aboutan ear of a wearer. Representative ear-worn electronic devices of thepresent disclosure include, but are not limited to, in-the-canal (ITC),completely-in-the-canal (CIC), invisible-in-canal (IIC), in-the-ear(ITE), receiver-in-canal (RIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), andreceiver-in-the-ear (RITE) type devices. Representative ear-wornelectronic devices of the present disclosure include, but are notlimited to, earbuds, electronic ear plugs, personal sound amplificationdevices, and other ear-worn electronic appliances. Ear-worn electronicdevices of the present disclosure include various types of hearingdevices, various types of physiologic monitoring and biometric devices,and combined hearing/physiologic monitoring devices. Ear-worn electronicdevices of the present disclosure include restricted medical devices(e.g., devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration), suchas hearing aids. Ear-worn electronic devices of the present disclosureinclude consumer electronic devices, such as consumer earbuds, consumersound amplifiers, and consumer hearing devices (e.g., consumer hearingaids and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices), for example.

Embodiments of the invention are defined in the claims. However, belowthere is provided a non-exhaustive listing of non-limiting examples. Anyone or more of the features of these examples may be combined with anyone or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect describedherein.

Example Ex1. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts.

Example Ex2. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Electroniccircuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. A controller isdisposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry. Arechargeable power source and charging circuitry are disposed in thehousing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller andcomprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of thehousing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to the controller andcomprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises the first andsecond charge contacts.

Example Ex3. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the first and second charge contacts.

Example Ex4. A ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configuredto be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Electronic circuitry isdisposed in or supported by the housing. A controller is disposed in thehousing and coupled to the electronic circuitry. A rechargeable powersource and charging circuitry are disposed in the housing. The chargingcircuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and secondcharge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatablecontrol is coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor. Thetouch sensor comprises the first and second charge contacts and at leastone auxiliary sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts.

Example Ex5. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at awall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises thefirst and second charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the controller.

Example Ex6. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Electroniccircuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. A controller isdisposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry. Arechargeable power source and charging circuitry are disposed in thehousing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller andcomprise first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of thehousing. A user-actuatable control is coupled to the controller andcomprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprises the first andsecond charge contacts and at least one auxiliary sensor coupled to thecontroller.

Example Ex7. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex6, whereinthe touch sensor is configured to sense for a change in an electrical orelectrodermal property of skin in contact with the first and secondcharge contacts.

Example Ex8. The device according to Ex7, wherein the electrical orelectrodermal property comprises one or any combination of impedance,conductance, resistance, and electrodermal activity.

Example Ex9. The device according to one or more of Ex3 to Ex8, whereinthe auxiliary sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

Example Ex10. The device according to one or more of Ex3 to Ex8, whereinthe auxiliary sensor comprises a thermistor.

Example Ex11. The device according to one or more of Ex3 to Ex8, whereinthe auxiliary sensor comprises a thermocouple, a bimetallic temperaturesensor, a resistance temperature detector or a semiconductor-basedtemperature sensor.

Example Ex12. The device according to one or more of Ex3 to Ex8, whereinthe auxiliary sensor comprises one or more of a motion sensor, anelectrical sensor, an electrodermal activity sensor, and a physiologicsensor.

Example Ex13. The device according to one or more of Ex3 to Ex8, whereinthe auxiliary sensor comprises a temperature sensor and at least one ofa motion sensor, an electrical sensor, an electrodermal activity sensor,and a physiologic sensor.

Example Ex14. The device according to one or more of Ex9 to Ex13,wherein the auxiliary sensor is situated at a location of the housingadjacent to, or between, the first and second charge contacts.

Example Ex15. The device according to one or more of Ex9 to Ex13,wherein the auxiliary sensor is situated at a location of the housingspaced away from the first and second charge contacts.

Example Ex16. The device according to one or more of Ex2, Ex4, and Ex6,wherein the electronic circuitry comprises a sensor facility and thesensor facility comprises one or more physiologic or biometric sensors.

Example Ex17. The device according to one or more of Ex1, Ex3, and Ex5,comprising a sensor facility, wherein the sensor facility comprises oneor more physiologic or biometric sensors.

Example Ex18. The device according to Ex17, wherein the sensor facilitycomprises one or more of a motion sensor, an electrical sensor, and anelectrodermal activity sensor.

Example Ex19. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex18,wherein the controller is configured to initiate a device setting,function or operation in response to a touch input to the touch sensorby the wearer.

Example Ex20. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex18,wherein the controller is configured to initiate a plurality ofdisparate device functions or operations in response to a correspondingplurality of touch inputs to the touch sensor by the wearer.

Example Ex21. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex20,comprising an activation sensor disposed in or on the housing andcoupled to the controller, the activation sensor configured to generatean activation signal in response to wearer contact with the housingwherein the controller is configured to initiate a device setting,function or operation in response to the activation signal and a touchinput to the touch sensor by the wearer.

Example Ex22. The device according to Ex21, wherein the activationsensor comprises at least one of a motion sensor and an electricalsensor.

Example Ex23. The device according to Ex22, wherein the at least onemotion sensor comprises at least one of an inertial measurement unit, asingle- or multiple-axis gyro sensor, and a single- or multiple-axisaccelerometer sensor, and the at least one electrical sensor comprisesat least a capacitive sensor.

Example Ex24. A method implemented by an ear-worn electronic devicecomprises sensing, by a touch sensor of the ear-worn electronic device,a touch input resulting from one or more events of contact between thetouch sensor and a finger of a wearer of the device; generating, by thetouch sensor, a touch signal in response to the touch input; receivingthe touch signal by a controller of the device; and implementing, by thecontroller, a device setting, function or operation in response to thereceived touch signal.

Example Ex25. The method according to Ex24, wherein the touch sensorcomprises charge contacts of the ear-worn electronic device.

Example Ex26. The method according to Ex24, wherein the touch sensorcomprises contacts of the ear-worn electronic device other than chargecontacts of the ear-worn electronic device.

Example Ex27. The method according to Ex24, wherein the method comprisesany one or any combination of processes recited in one or more of Ex1 toEx23.

Example Ex28. The method according to Ex24, wherein the method comprisesany one or any combination of processes and components recited in one ormore of Ex1 to Ex23.

Example Ex29. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a charger interface. The charger interface canbe configured for wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable controlis coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor.

Example Ex30. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Electroniccircuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. A controller isdisposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry. Arechargeable power source and charging circuitry are disposed in thehousing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller andcomprises a charger interface. The charger interface can be configuredfor wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable control is coupled tothe controller and comprises a touch sensor.

Example Ex31. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Audioprocessing circuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing andcomprises one or more microphones and a speaker or a receiver. Acontroller is disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity. A rechargeable power source and charging circuitryare disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to thecontroller and comprises a charger interface. The charger interface canbe configured for wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable controlis coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor. The touchsensor comprises at least one auxiliary sensor.

Example Ex32. An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housingconfigured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer. Electroniccircuitry is disposed in or supported by the housing. A controller isdisposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry. Arechargeable power source and charging circuitry are disposed in thehousing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller andcomprises a charger interface. The charger interface can be configuredfor wired or wireless charging. A user-actuatable control is coupled tothe controller and comprises a touch sensor. The touch sensor comprisesat least one auxiliary sensor.

Example Ex33. The device according to one or more of Ex29 to Ex32,wherein the touch sensor comprises charge contacts of the chargerinterface.

Example Ex34. The device according to one or more of Ex29 to Ex32,wherein the touch sensor comprises contacts of the ear-worn electronicdevice other than charge contacts of the charger interface.

Example Ex35. The device according to one or more of Ex29 to Ex32,wherein the charger interface comprises a wireless charger interface.

Example Ex36. The device according to one or more of Ex29 to Ex32,wherein the charger interface comprises an inductive, a radio frequencyor an optical charger interface.

Example Ex37. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex23 andEx29 to Ex36, wherein the user-actuatable control is configured toeffect cycling through device settings in response to wearer inputs tothe user-actuatable control.

Example Ex38. The device according to Ex37, wherein the wearer input isa single tap or a series of single taps to the user-actuatable control.

Example Ex39. The device according to Ex37, wherein the wearer input isa double tap or a series of double taps to the user-actuatable control.

Example Ex40. The device according to Ex37, wherein the wearer input isa multiple tap or a series of multiple taps to the user-actuatablecontrol.

Example Ex41. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex23 andEx29 to Ex36, wherein the user-actuatable control is configured, inresponse to sensing a double tap or a multiple tap, to one or both ofenable and disable one or more device settings or device functions.

Example Ex42. The device according to Ex41, wherein the one or moredevice settings or device functions comprise one or more of active noisecancelation, a BLE pairing mode, an automatic vent facility, and outputof an audio message, an audio signal, an optical signal or anelectromagnetic signal.

Example Ex43. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex23 andEx29 to Ex36, wherein the user-actuatable control is configured, inresponse to sensing a first press having a first duration longer than aduration of a tap, to activate one or more of (a) a device setting or aplurality of device setting settings and (b) a device function or aplurality of device functions.

Example Ex44. The device according to Ex43, wherein the user-actuatablecontrol is configured, in response to sensing a second press having asecond duration longer than the first duration, to activate one or moreof (a) a device setting or a plurality of device setting settings and(b) a device function or a plurality of device functions.

Example Ex45. The device according to Ex43 or Ex44, wherein the firstduration is longer than about 1 second.

Example Ex46. The device according to Ex43 or Ex44, wherein the firstduration is about 1.5 seconds.

Example Ex47. The device according to Ex44, wherein the second durationis longer than about 2.5 seconds.

Example Ex48. The device according to Ex44, wherein the second durationis longer than about 3 seconds.

Example Ex49. The device according to Ex44, wherein the second durationis about 3 to 4 seconds.

Example Ex50. The device according to one or more of Ex42 to Ex49,wherein the user-actuatable control is configured, in response tosensing the first press, to activate one or more of (a) a device settingor a plurality of device setting settings and (b) a device function or aplurality of device functions.

Example Ex51. The device according to one or more of Ex42 to Ex50,wherein the user-actuatable control is configured, in response tosensing the second press, to turn the device on and/or off.

Example Ex52. The device according to one or more of Ex1 to Ex23 andEx29 to Ex36, wherein:

-   -   the user-actuatable control is configured, in response to        sensing a multiple tap, to open a menu of one or both of device        settings and function options for a predetermined period of time        or for as long as wearer taps are occurring; and    -   the user-actuatable control is configured to effect cycling        through one or both of the device settings and the function        options in response to sensing single taps.

Example Ex53. A system comprising a first ear-worn electronic device anda second ear-worn electronic device according to one or more of Ex1 toEx23 and Ex29 to Ex36, wherein:

-   -   the first and second ear-worn electronic devices each comprises        the user-actuatable control; and    -   the user-actuatable control of the first ear-worn electronic        device has the same wearer input response functionality as the        user-actuatable control of the second ear-worn electronic        device.

Example Ex54. A system comprising a first ear-worn electronic device anda second ear-worn electronic device according to one or more of Ex1 toEx23 and Ex29 to Ex36, wherein:

-   -   the first and second ear-worn electronic devices each comprises        the user-actuatable control; and    -   the user-actuatable control of the first ear-worn electronic        device has a different wearer input response functionality as        the user-actuatable control of the second ear-worn electronic        device.

The following discussion is directed to the ear-worn electronic device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 9A-10.The device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f includes auser-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor in accordance with anyof the embodiments disclosed herein. In some implementations, the device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be deployed in, on or aboutone ear of the wearer (e.g., left or right ear). In otherimplementations, a first device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 fcan be deployed in, on or about the wearer's left ear, and a seconddevice 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be deployed in, onor about the wearer's right ear. The first and second devices 100 a, 100b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can operate cooperatively (e.g., via aninductive or radio frequency ear-to-ear link) or independently. Auser-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor can be incorporated inone of the two devices 110 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f or eachof the two devices 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. In someimplementations, a controller that operates on touch inputs by a wearercan be incorporated in only one of two devices 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100d, 100 e, 100 f, and changes to device operation responsive to the touchinputs can be communicated to the other device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100d, 100 e, 100 f for implementation by one or both of the devices 100 a,100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f.

The ear-worn electronic device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 fshown in FIGS. 1-7 and 9A-10 includes a housing 102 configured fordeployment in, on or about an ear of a wearer. According to any of theembodiments disclosed herein, the housing 102 can be configured fordeployment at least partially within the wearer's ear. For example, thehousing 102 can be configured for deployment at least partially orentirely within an ear canal of the wearer's ear. In someconfigurations, the shape of the housing 102 can be customized for thewearer's ear canal (e.g., based on a mold taken from the wearer's earcanal). In other configurations, the housing 102 can be constructed frompliant (e.g., semisoft) material that, when inserted into the wearer'sear canal, takes on the shape of the ear canal.

In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be configured as a hearingdevice or a hearable which includes an audio processing facility 170.The audio processing facility 170 can include audio signal processingcircuitry, a speaker or a receiver, and optionally one or moremicrophones. In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein,the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be implementedas a physiologic (e.g., biometric) monitoring device and include asensor facility 134. When implemented for physiologic monitoring, thedevice 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can include or exclude(e.g., be devoid of) the audio processing facility 170. The device 100a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can also incorporate acommunication facility configured to effect communications between twoof the devices 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f and/or with anexternal electronic device, system and/or the cloud. The communicationfacility can include one or both of an RF transceiver/antenna and/or anNFMI transceiver/antenna (see, e.g., device 100 f shown in FIG. 10).

According to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the housing 102can be configured for deployment at least partially within the outerear, such as from the helix to the ear canal (e.g., the concha cymba,concha cavum) and can extend up to or into the ear canal. According toany of the embodiments disclosed herein, the housing 102 can beconfigured for deployment at or on the wearer's outer ear, such asbehind the wearer's ear or situated on or over the wearer's ear withoutextending into the wearer's ear or ear canal.

The housing 102 is configured to contain or support a number ofcomponents including charging circuitry 145 coupled to a rechargeablepower source 144 (e.g., a lithium-ion battery) and charge contacts 146.A controller 120 is operatively coupled to the charging circuitry 145and other components of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e,100 f. The charge contacts 146 typically comprise at least one positivecontact and at least one negative or ground contact exposed on anexterior surface of the housing 102. When recharging the rechargeablepower source 144, the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f istypically placed in a charging unit comprising positive and negativecharge contacts which electrically couple to corresponding positive andnegative charge contacts 146 of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d,100 e, 100 f. The charging circuitry 145 of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f cooperates with charging circuitry of thecharging unit to charge the rechargeable power source 144. The chargingcircuitry 145 of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f canbe configured to cooperate with the charging unit in accordance with therepresentative examples disclosed in commonly owned, co-pending U.S.Published Patent Application No. 2019/0386,498, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f includes auser-actuatable control 132 comprising, or coupled to, a touch sensor138. The touch sensor 138 is coupled to the charge contacts 146. In someembodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the touch sensor 138comprises the charge contacts 146 and circuitry of the user-actuatablecontrol 132 (e.g., analog-to-digital converter, signal processingcircuitry; see e.g., FIG. 8). In other embodiments, such as those shownin FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the touch sensor 138 comprises the charge contacts146, one or more auxiliary sensors 141 (e.g., a thermistor) operativelycoupled to the charge contacts 146, and circuitry of the user-actuatablecontrol 132. In further embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5, thetouch sensor 138 comprises the charge contacts 146, one or moreauxiliary sensors 141 operatively coupled to the controller 120 (but notto the charge contacts 146), and circuitry of the user-actuatablecontrol 132.

The touch sensor 138 can be implemented as a sensor comprising thecharge contacts 146 and configured to sense for a change in one or anycombination of impedance, conductance, resistance, and electrodermalactivity. More particularly, the touch sensor 138 can be implemented asa sensor that uses the charge contacts 146 to sense for a change in oneor any combination of impedance, conductance, resistance, andelectrodermal activity due to the presence of the wearer's finger 143 atthe touch sensor 138 (referred to herein as a touch input). For example,and with reference to FIG. 2, the touch sensor 138 a includes first andsecond charge contacts 147, 148 which are spaced apart from one anotheron the housing 102. The spacing between charge contacts 147, 148 ispreferably wide enough to provide electrical isolation therebetween yetsmall enough to make contact with an average person's finger 143 whenthe finger 143 is touching the touch sensor 138 a. For example, thecharge contacts 147, 148 can have a spacing from about 0.25 mm to about16 mm, and have any shape (e.g., round, oval, square, rectangular,arbitrary).

In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, and as shownin FIG. 2, the touch sensor 138 a is configured to sense contact betweenthe wearer's finger 143 and the charge contacts 147, 148 as a touchinput. The user-actuatable control 132 generates a touch signal 151 inresponse to the touch input sensed by the touch sensor 138 a. Therepresentative touch signal 151 shown in FIG. 2 is a pulse 153 (e.g., avoltage or current pulse) generated by signal processing circuitry ofthe user-actuatable control 132. The user-actuatable control 132communicates the pulse 153 or an output signal corresponding to thepulse 153 to the controller 120. The controller 120 is configured toinitiate a device setting, function or operation or a plurality ofdevice functions or operations in response to the touch input pulse 153.

Although a single pulse 153 is shown in the representative example ofFIG. 2, it is understood that multiple pulses 153 can be generated bythe user-actuatable control 132 and operated on by the controller 120 toperform a number of different operations. Multiple pulses 153 can begenerated in response to multiple touches to the touch sensor 138 a. Thenumber, duration, and/or time separation of wearer touches to the touchsensor 138 a and corresponding pulses 153 can correspond to a number ofdifferent device commands.

For example, a single touch to the touch sensor 138 a followed by a longpause (e.g., a single tap input) can be interpreted by the controller120 as corresponding to a volume up command. Two touches to the touchsensor 138 a separated in time by a short pause (e.g., a double tapinput) can be interpreted by the controller 120 as corresponding to avolume down command. A single long duration touch to the touch sensor138 a can be interpreted by the controller 120 as corresponding to acommunication device (e.g., telecoil, RF transceiver) activationcommand. Two long duration touches to the touch sensor 138 a can beinterpreted by the controller 120 as corresponding to a communicationdevice deactivation command. It is understood that an ear-wornelectronic device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can includetwo or more touch sensors 138 a, and that not all touch sensors 138 aneed to be coupled to the charge contacts 146. For example, a firsttouch sensor 138 a can be coupled to the charge contacts 146, and asecond touch sensor 138 a can be coupled to the controller 120 and notthe charge contacts 146. The second touch sensor 138 a can be located onthe housing 102 near to, or spaced apart from, the first touch sensor138 a.

Multiple commands for a given device setting, function or operation canalso be input to the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f viathe touch sensor 138 a. For example, a short duration touch followed bya long duration touch applied to the touch sensor 138 a can initiate ahearing aid memory selection routine. Once initiated, application ofindividual short duration touches to the touch sensor 138 a can allowthe wearer to step/cycle through a number of different hearing aidmemories, each of which activates different hearing aid settings (e.g.,speech enhancement settings, noise reduction settings, ambientenvironment classification settings).

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are representative capabilities thatcan be implemented by the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100f via the touch sensor 138 a according to any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. The touch sensor 138 a (e.g., user-actuatable control)can be configured to effect cycling through device settings in responseto wearer inputs to the touch sensor 138 a. For example, the wearerinput can be a single tap or a series of single taps to the touch sensor138 a. The wearer input can be a double tap or a series of double tapsto the touch sensor 138 a. The wearer input can be a multiple tap (e.g.,3, 4, of 5 taps) or a series of multiple taps to the touch sensor 138 a.

The touch sensor 138 a can be configured, in response to sensing adouble tap or a multiple tap, to one or both of enable and disable oneor more device settings or device functions. The one or more devicesettings or device functions can include one or more of active noisecancelation, a BLE pairing mode, an automatic vent facility, and outputof an audio message, an audio signal, electromagnetic signal or opticalsignal.

The touch sensor 138 a can be configured, in response to sensing a firstpress having a first duration longer than a duration of a tap, toactivate one or more of (a) a device setting or a plurality of devicesetting settings and (b) a device function or a plurality of devicefunctions. The touch sensor 138 a can be configured, in response tosensing a second press having a second duration longer than the firstduration, to activate one or more of (a) a device setting or a pluralityof device setting settings and (b) a device function or a plurality ofdevice functions. Example The first duration can be longer than about 1second. For example, the first duration can be about 1.5 seconds. Thesecond duration can be longer than about 2.5 seconds, such as longerthan about 3 seconds or a duration of about 3 to 4 seconds. The touchsensor 138 a can be configured, in response to sensing the first press,to activate one or more of (a) a device setting or a plurality of devicesetting settings and (b) a device function or a plurality of devicefunctions. The touch sensor 138 a can be configured, in response tosensing the second press, to turn the device on and/or off.

According to another example, the touch sensor 138 a can be configured,in response to sensing a multiple tap, to open a menu (e.g., an audiomenu via the ear-worn electronic device or a visual menu via an externaldevice such as a smartphone) of one or both of device settings andfunction options for a predetermined period of time or for as long aswearer taps are occurring. The touch sensor 138 a can be configured toeffect cycling through one or both of the device settings and thefunction options in response to sensing single taps, for example.

In accordance with a further example, a system comprises a first device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f and a second device 100 a, 100b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. The first and second ear-worn electronicdevices 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f each comprises thetouch sensor 138 a. The touch sensor 138 a of the first device 100 a,100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f has the same wearer input responsefunctionality as the touch sensor 138 a of the second device 100 a, 100b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. In another example, the touch sensor 138a of the first device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f has adifferent wearer input response functionality as the touch sensor 138 aof the second device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f.

It is understood that these and other examples of hearing devicefunctions described herein represent non-exhaustive, non-limitingexamples of device commands that can be initiated by a wearer using auser-actuatable control facility disclosed herein.

The device 100 b shown in FIG. 3 is a variation of the device 100 ashown in FIG. 1 in accordance with any of the embodiments disclosedherein. In addition to the components and functionality described withreference to FIG. 1, the device 100 b shown in FIG. 2 includes anauxiliary sensor 141 coupled to the charge contacts 146. Although asingle auxiliary sensor 141 is shown in FIG. 3, it is understood thatmore than one auxiliary sensor 141 can be coupled to charge contacts146. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the touch sensor 138 comprisesthe charge contacts 146, one or more auxiliary sensors 141 operativelycoupled to the charge contacts 146, and circuitry of the user-actuatablecontrol 132. The addition of an auxiliary sensor 141 to the touch sensor138 adds robustness to the touch detection circuitry and reduces oreliminates false detections (e.g., a false positive or a falsenegative).

As is best seen in FIG. 4, the touch sensor 138 b comprises first andsecond charge contacts 147, 148, an auxiliary sensor 141 (e.g., athermistor 141 a) operatively coupled to the charge contacts 147, 148,and circuitry of the user-actuatable control 132. The touch sensor 138 bis configured to sense for a change in one or any combination ofimpedance, conductance, resistance, and electrodermal activity.Additionally, the auxiliary sensor 141 of the touch sensor 138 b isconfigured to sense presence of the wearer's finger at the touch sensor138 b in a manner that differs from that of the charge contacts 147,148. By way of example, the auxiliary sensor 141 can comprise atemperature sensor, such as a thermistor 141 a. It is understood thatthe auxiliary sensor 141 can be a sensor other than a temperaturesensor, representative examples of which are disclosed herein.

A suitable thermistor 141 a is a glass encapsulated thermistor, whichincludes a chip (e.g., a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) chip)encapsulated within a bead of glass. Leads (e.g., dumet leads) arecoupled to the chip and to circuitry (e.g., signal processing circuitry)within or coupled to the temperature sensor 141 a. A suitable thermistor141 a is a surface mount device (SMD) thermistor. Other temperaturesensors can be used in the auxiliary sensor 141, includingthermocouples, bimetallic temperature sensors, resistance temperaturedetectors (RTDs), semiconductor-based temperature sensors, digitalthermistors, and other types of resistance temperature sensors. Forexample, passive thermistors as small as 1.6 mm×0.8 mm×0.8 mm that onlyrequire one additional resistor can be used, which are particularlyuseful for incorporation in an ear-worn device 100 b.

Advantageously, the thermistor 141 a or other type of temperaturesensing device of the touch sensor 138 b need not provide an absolutetemperature measurement, such as body core temperature. Rather, arelative temperature measurement can be used to detect presence of thewearer's finger at the touch sensor 138 a. Accordingly, relativelylow-cost, reduced-precision temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors 141a) can be incorporated as the auxiliary sensor 141 of the ear-wornelectronic device 100 b. Use of relatively low-cost, reduced-precisiontemperature sensors advantageously reduces the cost and complexity of anear-worn electronic device which includes a user-actuatable controlcomprising a touch sensor in accordance with any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

In an ear-worn device 100 b that incorporates a thermistor 141 a, theleads or contacts of the thermistor 141 a are coupled to ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) and signal processing logic or aprocessor (e.g., signal processing circuitry) integral or coupled to theauxiliary sensor 141. Changes in thermistor resistance correspond tochanges in temperature. Thermistor resistance can be converted totemperature by the processor using the well-known Steinhart-Hartequation (e.g., via a lookup table). The Steinhart-Hart equation isconsidered the best mathematical expression for theresistance-temperature relationship of NTC thermistors. The coefficientsof the Steinhart-Hart equation vary with thermistor type and aretypically provided by the manufacturer or readily derivable. Athermistor or other temperature sensor 141 a can be mounted on, to orsupported by the housing 102 at the touch sensor 138 b, such as betweenthe first and second contacts 147, 148.

For example, the thermistor 141 a can be mounted on a surface of thehousing 102 that supports the touch sensor 138 a and covered with aprotective, thermally conductive outer layer. The thermistor 141 a canbe mounted within a wall of the housing 102 or within the interior ofthe housing 102. In such implementations, the thermistor 141 a can becovered and/or surrounded with thermally conductive material to providethermal coupling between the thermistor 141 a and the thermalenvironment at or outside of the portion of the housing 102 thatsupports the touch sensor 138 a. Representative examples of variousthermistors 141 a, mounting configurations, and signal processingtechniques are disclosed in commonly owned, co-pending U.S. PublishedPatent Application No. 2019/0117155, which is incorporated herein byreference.

In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, and as shownin FIG. 4, the touch sensor 138 b is configured to sense contact betweenthe wearer's finger 143 and the charge contacts 147, 148 and, inaddition, sense a temperature change due to the presence of the wearer'sfinger 143 in proximity to the thermistor 141 a as a touch input. Theuser-actuatable control 132 generates a touch signal 151 in response tothe touch input sensed by the touch sensor 138 b. The representativetouch signal 151 shown in FIG. 4 includes a first component indicativeof touch detection by the charge contacts 146 and a second componentindicative of touch detection by the thermistor 141 a. The firstcomponent is a pulse 153 (e.g., a voltage or current pulse) generated bysignal processing circuitry of the user-actuatable control 132. Thesecond component is a thermal pulse 155 generated by signal processingcircuitry of the user-actuatable control 132 in response to an outputsignal generated by the thermistor 141 a. Typically, the pulse 153 is adigital waveform which approximates a square wave. The thermal pulse 155is typically a waveform that rises and falls slower than the digitalpulse 153. However, the magnitude of the thermal pulse 155 changessufficiently fast during the duration of the digital pulse 153 such thatit can be readily detected as being present or absent.

The user-actuatable control 132 communicates the pulses 153, 155 oroutput signals corresponding to the pulses 153, 155 to the controller120. The controller 120 is configured to initiate a device setting,function or operation or a plurality of device settings, functions oroperations in response to detecting presence of both pulses 153, 155. Inthe case of the controller 120 detecting the presence of only one of thetwo pulses 153, 155, the controller 120 does not initiate a devicesetting, function or operation. In this case, the controller 120 maytake a corrective action such as storing touch sensor data for theanomalous touch detection event and/or generating an alert perceivableby the wearer indicative of the anomalous touch detection event (e.g., atactile or audible alert).

Although a single touch event (e.g., single pulse 153, single pulse 155)is shown in the representative example of FIG. 4, it is understood thatmultiple pulses 153, 155 can be generated by the user-actuatable control132 and operated on by the controller 120 to perform a number ofdifferent functions or operations. Multiple pulses 153, 155 can begenerated in response to multiple touches to the touch sensor 138 b. Thenumber, duration, and/or time separation of wearer touches to the touchsensor 138 b and corresponding pulses 153, 155 can correspond to anumber of different device commands, representative examples of whichare described herein.

The device 100 c shown in FIG. 5 is a variation of the device 100 bshown in FIG. 3 in accordance with any of the embodiments disclosedherein. In addition to the components and functionality described withreference to FIG. 3, the device 100 c shown in FIG. 5 includes theauxiliary sensor 141 coupled to the controller 120 rather than thecharge contacts 146. Although a single auxiliary sensor 141 is shown inFIG. 5, it is understood that more than one auxiliary sensor 141 can becoupled to the controller 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, thetouch sensor 138 comprises the charge contacts 146, an auxiliary sensor141 operatively coupled to the controller 120, and circuitry of theuser-actuatable control 132. The auxiliary sensor 141 can be any type ofsensor disclosed herein, including a temperature sensor (e.g.,thermistor), a motion sensor, an electrical sensor (e.g., impedance,conductance, resistance sensor), an electrodermal activity sensor,and/or a physiologic sensor.

In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, and withcontinued reference to FIG. 4, the touch sensor 138 of the device 100 cshown in FIG. 5 is configured to sense contact between the wearer'sfinger 143 and the charge contacts 147, 148 and, in addition, sense aparameter change due to the presence of the wearer's finger 143 inproximity to the auxiliary sensor 141 as a touch input. Theuser-actuatable control 132 generates a touch signal 151 in response tothe touch input sensed by the touch sensor 138 b. The touch sensor 138of the device 100 c shown in FIG. 5 is configured to generate multiplepulses 153, 155 responsive to a touch event in a manner similar to thatshown in FIG. 4. It is understood, however, that the characteristics ofthe auxiliary sensor signal 155 will vary depending on the type ofauxiliary sensor 141 used. For example, in the case of the auxiliarysensor 141 comprising an IMU, the auxiliary sensor signal 155 will bemuch more responsive (faster) than the thermistor output signal depictedin FIG. 4. For simplicity, auxiliary sensor signal 155 will be describedas a pulse in the following discussion.

The user-actuatable control 132 communicates the pulses 153, 155 oroutput signals corresponding to the pulses 153, 155 to the controller120. The controller 120 is configured to initiate a device setting,function or operation or a plurality of device settings, functions oroperations in response to detecting presence of both pulses 153, 155. Inthe case of the controller 120 detecting the presence of only one of thetwo pulses 153, 155, the controller 120 does not initiate a deviceoperation. In this case, the controller 120 may take a corrective actionsuch as those previously described.

Although a single touch event (e.g., single pulse 153, single pulse 155)is shown in the representative example of FIG. 4 in the context of thedevice 100 c shown in FIG. 5, it is understood that multiple pulses 153,155 can be generated by the user-actuatable control 132 and operated onby the controller 120 to perform a number of different functions oroperations. Multiple pulses 153, 155 can be generated in response tomultiple touches to the touch sensor 138 b. The number, duration, and/ortime separation of wearer touches to the touch sensor 138 b andcorresponding pulses 153, 155 can correspond to a number of differentdevice functions or commands, representative examples of which aredescribed herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a touch sensor 138 c of an ear-worn electronic device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f in accordance with any of theembodiments disclosed herein. The touch sensor 138 c comprises amultiplicity of touch sensor elements (e.g., 138 a and/or 138 b). Thetouch sensor 138 c can be described as a swipe sensor comprising amultiplicity of touch sensor elements (e.g., touch sensors 138 b) whichcan be activated sequentially or individually by the wearer's finger.Each of the touch sensor elements 138 b can correspond to the touchsensor 138 b shown in FIG. 4. It is understood that the touch sensorelements 138 b can be the same or different in terms of construction,responsiveness, and/or functionality.

One, some or all of the touch sensor elements 138 b can be coupled tocharge contacts 146 of an ear-worn electronic device 100 a, 100 b, 100c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. In some configurations, the touch sensor 138 ccan be situated on the housing 102 spaced from the charge contacts 146,such as on an exterior surface location that typically supports aconventional pushbutton/rocker switch. A separate touch sensor, such astouch sensor 138 b shown in FIG. 4, can be coupled to the chargecontacts 146 and be operated cooperatively with the touch sensor 138 cto control the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f inmanners described herein. In such configurations, the touch sensor 138 ccan be a printed sensor using conductive inks or a laser directstructure (LDS) applied on a plastic housing 102 of the device 100 a,100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. The printed or LDS touch sensor 138 ccan have an artistic design.

Each of the touch sensor elements 138 b comprises first and secondcontacts 147, 148 and an auxiliary sensor 141 a (e.g., a thermistor).The first and second contacts 147, 148 of at least one of the touchsensor elements 138 b are coupled to charging contacts 146 of the device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. The auxiliary sensor 141 a ofthe at least one touch sensor element 138 b can also be, but not needbe, coupled to the charging contacts 146. The first and second contacts147, 148 of each touch sensor element 138 b are configured to sense fora change in one or any combination of impedance, conductance,resistance, and electrodermal activity as previously described.Additionally, the auxiliary sensor 141 a of each touch sensor element138 b is configured to sense presence of the wearer's finger at thetouch sensor element 138 b in a manner that differs from that of thecharge contacts 147, 148. By way of example, the auxiliary sensor 141 acan comprise a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor 141 a, or othertype of auxiliary sensor disclosed herein.

In response to a swipe input to the touch sensor 138 c by the wearer,and as shown in FIG. 6, the user-actuatable control 132 generates aseries of touch signals 151 which are communicated to, and interpretedby, the controller 120. The touch sensor 138 c is configured to generatemultiple pulses or waveforms 153, 155 separated in time in response to aswiping touch input by the wearer. Fast swipes, slow swipes, orcombinations of fast and slow swiping actions can correspond todifferent wearer input commands which are interpreted and implemented bythe controller 120. It is understood, however, that the characteristicsof the auxiliary sensor signal 155 will vary depending on the type ofauxiliary sensor used as previously discussed. For simplicity, auxiliarysensor signals 155 will be described as a pulse in the followingdiscussion.

The user-actuatable control 132 communicates the time-separated seriesof touch signals 151 to the controller 120. The controller 120 isconfigured to initiate a device setting, function or operation or aplurality of device settings, functions or operations in response todetecting the presence, speed (e.g., time differences), and/or swipedirection (sensor element activation sequence) of the sequence of touchsignals 151. The controller 120 can detect the presence or absence ofeach of the pulses 153, 155 generated by each of the touch sensorelements 138 b and, if appropriate, take a corrective action aspreviously described.

As was previously discussed, and in accordance with any of theembodiments disclosed herein, the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100e, 100 f can be configured as a hearing device or a hearable whichincludes an audio processing facility 170. The audio processing facility170 includes audio signal processing circuitry coupled to a speaker orreceiver and optionally to one or more microphones. According toembodiments that incorporate the audio processing facility 170, thedevice 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be implemented as ahearing assistance device that can aid a person with impaired hearing.For example, the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can beimplemented as a monaural hearing aid or a pair of devices 100 a, 100 b,100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be implemented as a binaural hearing aidsystem. By way of further example, the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100d, 100 e, 100 f can be implemented as a monaural or binaural personalsound amplification device, such as a consumer earbud.

As was also previously discussed, and in accordance with any of theembodiments disclosed herein, the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100e, 100 f can include a sensor facility 134 in addition to, or exclusiveof, and audio processing facility 170. For example, device 100 a, 100 b,100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be configured as a physiologic (e.g.,biometric) monitoring device which includes or excludes an audioprocessing facility 170. The sensor facility 134 can include one or moresensors 134 a-134 n. The sensor facility 134 can also include signalprocessing circuitry configured to process signals produced by the oneor more sensors 134 a-134 n. The sensor facility 134 can include one ormore temperature sensors 134 a (e.g., thermistors), one or more motionsensors 134 b, one or more optical sensors 134 c, and/or one or moreelectrical sensors 134 d. The one or more motion sensors 134 b caninclude one or more of accelerometers, gyros, and magnetometers. Forexample, the motion sensor 134 b can be implemented to include amulti-axis (e.g., 9-axis) sensor, such as an IMU. A suitable IMU isdisclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,848,273, which isincorporated herein by reference. The one or more optical sensors 134 ccan include a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, such as a pulseoximeter. The one or more electrical sensors 134 d can include one ormore sensors configured to contact the skin of the wearer's ear andsense a change in an electrical property of the skin. For example, theone or more electrical sensors 134 d can be configured to sense one orany combination of impedance, conductance, resistance, and electrodermalactivity (e.g., galvanic skin response).

The sensor facility 134 of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e,100 f can include one or more physiologic or biometric sensors 134 e.The physiologic/biometric sensors 134 e can include one or more of anEKG or ECG sensor, an SpO₂ sensor, a blood pressure sensor, arespiration sensor, a glucose sensor, an EEG sensor, an EMG sensor, andan EOG sensor. Representative examples of such sensors are disclosed inUS Pat. Pub. Nos. 2018/0014784 (Heeger et al.), 2013/0216434 (Ow-Wing),and 2010/0253505 (Chou), and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,445,768 (Alexander etal.) and 9,107,586 (Bao), each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

According to some implementations, a sensor of the sensor facility 134can be used as a “wake up” sensor (e.g., activation sensor) for thetouch sensing circuitry of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e,100 f. For example, a motion sensor 134 b (e.g., an IMU) can generate awake up signal (e.g., activation signal) in response to detecting adouble tap on the housing 102 generated by the wearer's finger. Inresponse to a touch input to the touch sensor 138 which corresponds to adevice command, the controller implements a device setting, function oroperation corresponding to the device command (e.g., an incrementalvolume or memory change).

For example, one touch applied to the touch sensor 138 can correspond toone incremental step up in volume or memory until the top setting isreached and then another touch would drop the setting to its lowestlevel. The cycle could then be input again. In addition to memory and orvolume control, a longer duration touch (or a press & hold) applied tothe touch sensor 138 can place or remove the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c,100 d, 100 e, 100 f from a low power state that the wearer wouldinterpret as functional on or off. This functionality solves the issuecommon to most button-less devices of how to shut the device down when aphone, remote, or charging base is not present.

FIG. 7 illustrates an ear-worn electronic device 100 d incorporating auser-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor in accordance with anyof the embodiments disclosed herein. The device 100 d is configured as ahearing device, such as any of those discussed herein (e.g., an earbud,hearable, personal sound amplification device, hearing aid). Theear-worn electronic device 100 d shown in FIG. 7 includes a housing 102configured for deployment in, on or about an ear of a wearer aspreviously described. For example, the housing 102 can be configured fordeployment at least partially within the wearer's ear. By way of furtherexample, the housing 102 can be configured for deployment at leastpartially or entirely within an ear canal of the wearer's ear. Inanother representative configuration, the housing 102 can be configuredfor deployment at or on the wearer's outer ear, such as behind thewearer's ear or situated on or over the wearer's ear without extendinginto the wearer's ear or ear canal.

The device 100 d includes an audio processing facility 170 coupled to aspeaker or receiver 172 and one or more microphones 174. The audioprocessing facility 170 can include audio signal processing circuitry(e.g., analog front-end, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analogconverters, DSP, various analog and digital filters). The one or moremicrophones 174 can include one or more discrete microphones or amicrophone array(s) (e.g., configured for microphone array beamforming).A multiplicity of microphones 174 can be situated at different locationsof the housing 102.

The housing 102 is configured to contain or support a number of othercomponents including charging circuitry 145 coupled to a rechargeablepower source 144 (e.g., a lithium-ion battery) and charge contacts 146.A controller 120 is operatively coupled to the charging circuitry 145,audio processing circuitry 170, and a user-actuatable control 132, amongother components of the device 100 d. The charge contacts 146 typicallycomprise at least one positive contact 147 and at least one negative orground contact 148 exposed on an exterior surface 102 a of the housing102. The charge contacts 146 are configured to electrically couple tocorresponding charge contacts of an external charging unit as previouslydescribed.

The user-actuatable control 132 comprises, incorporates, or is coupledto a touch sensor 138 b, which is representative of the touch sensor 138b shown in FIG. 4. Other touch sensor configurations can be incorporatedin the user-actuatable control 132, such as the touch sensor 138 c shownin FIG. 6. The touch sensor 138 b shown in FIG. 7 includes an auxiliarysensor 141 in the form of a thermistor 141 a or other type oftemperature sensor coupled to the charge contacts 146. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 7, the touch sensor 138 b includes the charge contacts 146(positive and negative contacts 147, 148), the thermistor 141 a, andcircuitry of the user-actuatable control 132. The touch sensor 138 bshown in FIG. 7 is configured to sense for a change in impedance usingcharge contacts 147, 148 and for a change in temperature usingthermistor 141 a in response to contact between the touch sensor 138 band a wearer's finger. The user-actuatable control 132 can incorporatethe circuitry shown in FIG. 8.

As was previously discussed, the user-actuatable control 132 can beconfigured to detect single and multiple touch inputs for implementing anumber of different functions or operations by the controller 120,including memory settings, audio output settings, microphone settings,etc. In addition to these and other functions described herein, theuser-actuatable control 132 can be configured to receive an input fromthe wearer of the device 100 d to change speech enhancement parametersof the device 100 d, such as enabling/disabling of speech enhancement,fixed or adaptable cutoff frequency, etc. Other parameters, such asupper and lower bounds the adaptable cutoff frequency may be set by auser or technician via the user-actuatable control 132, e.g., to adaptperformance to suit the level of hearing impairment of the user of thedevice. A speech enhancement module of the device 100 d can beimplemented in software, hardware, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. The speech enhancement module can be a component of, orintegral to, the processor 120 or another processor (e.g., a DSP)coupled to the processor 120. The speech enhancement module can beconfigured to detect speech in different types of acoustic environments.The different types of sound can include speech, music, and severaldifferent types of noise (e.g., wind, transportation noise and vehicles,machinery), etc., and combinations of these and other sounds (e.g.,transportation noise with speech).

The device 100 d (and other devices 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 e, 100 f)can include one or more communication devices coupled to one or moreantenna arrangements (see, e.g., FIG. 10). For example, one or morecommunication devices can include one or more radios that conform to anIEEE 802.11 (e.g., WiFi®) or Bluetooth® (e.g., BLE, Bluetooth® 4. 2,5.0, 5.1, 5.2 or later) specification, for example. In addition, oralternatively, the device 100 d (and other devices 100 a, 100 b, 100 c,100 e, 100 f) can include a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) sensor(e.g., an NFMI transceiver coupled to a magnetic antenna) for effectingshort-range communications (e.g., ear-to-ear communications,ear-to-kiosk communications).

FIG. 8 illustrates a touch detection circuit 180 integral or coupled toa user-actuatable control of an ear-worn electronic device 100 a, 100 b,100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f in accordance with any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein. The touch detection circuit 180 can be implemented asan ASIC, such as a 4-pin ASIC. The components used to construct thetouch detection circuit 180 are widely available and very cheap, and thecircuit 180 can be less expensive than a single mechanical switch.

The touch detection circuit 180 is electrically coupled to positive andnegative charge contacts 147, 148 of a touch sensor 138 b. The touchdetection circuit 180 includes a first section 181 configured toelectrically sense contact between a wearer's finger 143 and thepositive and negative contacts 147, 148 of the touch sensor 138 b. Thefirst section 181 includes a first field effect transistor (FET) Q1,such as a PMOS FET, with a gate, g, coupled to a charging circuit line185 connected to positive contact 147. A source, s, of Q1 is coupled toa voltage source having a voltage of Vdd (a lithium-ion batteryvoltage). A drain, d, of Q1 is coupled to an output 182 over which aTouch Signal #1 can be communicated to the user-actuatable control 132and/or controller 120 of the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e,100 f. The first section 181 also includes a resistor R1 having arelatively high resistance, such as 10 MΩ, coupled between the chargingcircuit line 185 and the source voltage Vdd line. It is noted that apulldown resistor R2 is typically connected to the output 182 forsensing Touch Signal #1, but the resistor R2 need not be part of thetouch detection circuit 180.

A second section 183 of the touch detection circuit 180 includes athermistor 141 a coupled to the negative or ground contact 148. Thethermistor 141 a is configured to thermally sense contact ornear-contact between a wearer's finger 143 and the touch sensor 138 b. Athird section 184 of the touch detection circuit 180 includes a secondfield effect transistor (FET) Q2, such as a PMOS FET, with a gate, g,coupled to voltage source Vdd, a source, s, coupled to the chargingcircuit line 185, and a drain, d, coupled to a charging circuit (e.g., apower management IC of charging circuitry 145) of the device 100 a, 100b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f.

An ESD (electrostatic discharge) or TVS (transient voltage suppression)diode 149 can be connected between the positive and negative chargecontacts 147, 148 to prevent damage to, or unintentional activation of,the circuit 180 in response to static discharge from a user's finger143. The ESD/TVS diode 149 preferably has a very low leakage current toavoid artificially pulling the gate of Q1 low.

When a wearer touches the contact sensor 138 b, the wearer's finger actsas a high impedance (e.g., about 10 kΩ to 1 MΩ) applied across thecharge contacts 147, 148. The application of this high impedance acrossthe charge contacts 147, 148 pulls the gate, g, of Q1 low, therebyturning on Q1. Charge contact 147 is pulled up to the source voltageVdd. Turning on Q1 results in a voltage signal equal to Vdd to becommunicated to the output 182 as Touch Signal #1.

The second FET, Q2, is configured to prevent a touch event at theelectrical contacts 147, 148 from being incorrectly interpreted as acharging event. A charging event can be initiated in response toapplication of a charging voltage across charge contacts 147, 148 thatexceeds the source voltage, Vdd, by at least the threshold voltage,Vgs_(th), of Q2. For example, the charging voltage (e.g., ˜5 V) thatturns on Q2 for charging is greater than Vdd (e.g., 4.0 V)+Vgs_(th)(e.g., 0.5 V). In other words, the source voltage, Vdd, must be lessthan the charge voltage, Vchg, minus the threshold voltage, Vgs_(th), ofQ2 (e.g., Vdd<Vchg−Vgs_(th)).

The thermistor 141 a is coupled to the negative charge contact 148,which is the low thermal impedance output side of the circuit 180. Whenthe wearer's finger 143 makes contact or near-contact with the touchsensor 138 b, the thermistor 141 a immediately changes in temperatureand quickly approaches the temperature of the user's finger 143. Thisrapid change in temperature results in a corresponding change in ananalog signal which is communicated from an output 184 of the thermistor141 a (corresponding to Touch Signal #2) to a temperature ADC input ofthe user-actuatable control 132 and/or controller 120 of the device 100a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f. The controller 120 uses TouchSignal #1 (electrical touch signal) and Touch Signal #2 (thermal touchsignal) in a manner previously described for implementing any of thetouch detection techniques disclosed herein. It is noted that, unlikecapacitive touch solutions, water and hair will not affect thethermistor 141 a (or other temperature sensor) in the same way thefinger will.

As was discussed previously, the additional input from an auxiliarysensor 141 can reduce or eliminate a false reading when changingtemperatures rapidly for example, walking through a doorway with a largetemperature gradient. To combat false positives and make the touchsensor 138 more robust, an IMU 134 b or a capacitive touch sensor 134 dcan be used as an auxiliary sensor 141. In the case of the IMU 134 b, adouble tap could be required to activate the components of the touchsensor 138 (e.g., thermistor 141 a or other temperature touch sensor).In the case of a capacitive touch sensor 134 d, for example, the touchwould only be recognized if both the capacitance changed as well as thetemperature. In some configurations, the charge contacts 146 can be usedas electrodes coupled to typical skin on/off circuits or to measure thegalvanic skin resistance of the wearer's finger if it can be assuredthat the touch is applied between the charge contacts 146.

It is noted that the thermal path to heat generating components withinthe device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f to the thermistor141 a or other temperature sensor should be minimized. This can beachieved by using thin copper traces on the flex circuit board, removingsolid copper ground and power planes, placing thermal resistivematerials between the temperature sensor and hot components such as therechargeable power source 144.

In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, thetemperature sensor (e.g., thermistor 141 a) of the device 100 a, 100 b,100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can be used as a forehead thermometer. Thewearer can place the device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f ina thermometer mode (via a corresponding touch input) and place thecharge contacts 146 on the forehead and wait a few seconds (˜10 s). Thedevice 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f can report the wearer'stemperature. The reporting can be transmitted wirelessly from the device100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f to a smartphone or watch with atext-to-speech algorithm that then audibly reports the reading in theother device 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f that is stillinserted in the wearer's ear (e.g., audibly), as well as displaying thetemperature on the screen of the smartphone or watch.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an ear-worn electronic device 100 e whichincludes a user-actuatable control 132 comprising a touch sensor 138 bin accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. The device100 e includes a housing 102 having a behind-the-ear configurationsuitable for deployment on the wearer's outer ear. The device 100 e canbe implemented as a BTE, MC, or RITE device, for example. The housing102 includes a rear surface 102 a which supports a touch sensor 138 bcomprising charge contacts 146 (positive and negative contacts 147, 148)and a thermistor 141 a, each of which is electrically connected to acircuit board 142. The touch sensor 138 b is connected to a touchdetection circuit (e.g., circuit 180 shown in FIG. 8) and othercomponents of the device 100 e via the circuit board 142.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an ear-worn electronic device 100 f whichincludes a user-actuatable control 132 comprising a touch sensor 138 inof accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. As waspreviously discussed, the device 100 f is representative of a widevariety of electronic devices configured to be deployed in, on or aboutan ear of a wearer. The device 100 f shown in FIG. 10 includes severalcore components previously discussed, including charge contacts 146,charging circuitry 145, rechargeable power source 144, user-actuatablecontrol 132, touch sensor 138, and controller 120.

The device 100 f can include a sensor facility 134 which includes one ormore sensors which can vary in type and technology. As was previouslydiscussed, the sensor facility 134 can include one or more temperaturesensors 134 a, motion sensors 134 b, optical sensors 134 c, electricalsensors 134 d, and physiologic sensors 134 e. For example, the touchsensor 138 of device 100 f can include at least one electrical sensor134 d (impedance sensor) alone or in combination with a temperaturesensor 134 a (e.g., a thermistor 141 a) for detecting touch inputs froma wearer of the device 100 f.

In accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the device100 f can be configured as a hearing device or a hearable which includesan audio processing facility 170. The audio processing facility 170includes audio signal processing circuitry 176 coupled to a speaker orreceiver 172 and optionally to one or more microphones 174 coupled tothe audio signal processing circuitry 176. In other embodiments, thedevice 100 f is devoid of the audio processing facility 170. The device100 f can also incorporate a communication facility 130 configured toeffect communications with a companion device 100 f and/or an externalelectronic device, system and/or the cloud. The communication facility130 can include one or both of an RF transceiver/antenna and/or an NFMItransceiver/antenna.

According to embodiments that incorporate the audio processing facility170, the device 100 f can be implemented as a hearing assistance devicethat can aid a person with impaired hearing. For example, the device 100f can be implemented as a monaural hearing aid or a pair of devices 100f can be implemented as a binaural hearing aid system. The monauraldevice 100 f or a pair of devices 100 f can be configured to effectbi-directional communication (e.g., wireless communication) of data withan external source, such as a remote server via the Internet or othercommunication infrastructure. The device or devices 100 f can beconfigured to receive streaming audio (e.g., digital audio data orfiles) from an electronic or digital source. Representativeelectronic/digital sources (e.g., accessory devices) include anassistive listening system, a streaming device (e.g., a TV streamer oraudio streamer), a radio, a smartphone, a laptop, a cellphone/entertainment device (CPED) or other electronic device that servesas a source of digital audio data, control and/or settings data orcommands, and/or other types of data files.

The controller 120 shown in FIG. 10 (and the controller 120 shown inother figures) can include one or more processors or other logicdevices. For example, the controller 120 can be representative of anycombination of one or more logic devices (e.g., multi-core processor,digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor, programmable controller,general-purpose processor, special-purpose processor, hardwarecontroller, software controller, a combined hardware and softwaredevice) and/or other digital logic circuitry (e.g., ASICs, FPGAs), andsoftware/firmware configured to implement the functionality disclosedherein.

The controller 120 can incorporate or be coupled to various analogcomponents (e.g., analog front-end), ADC and DAC components, and Filters(e.g., FIR filter, Kalman filter). The controller 120 can incorporate orbe coupled to memory. The memory can include one or more types ofmemory, including ROM, RAM, SDRAM, NVRAM, EEPROM, and FLASH, forexample.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of controlling an ear-worn electronicdevice using a user-actuatable control comprising a touch sensor inaccordance with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. The methodshown in FIG. 11 comprises sensing 300, by a touch sensor of theear-worn electronic device, a touch input resulting from one or moreevents of contact between the touch sensor and a finger of a wearer ofthe device. The method comprises generating 302, by the touch sensor, atouch signal in response to the touch input. The method also comprisesreceiving 304 the touch signal by a controller of the device. The methodfurther comprises implementing, by the controller, a device setting,function or operation in response to the received touch signal. Themethod shown in FIG. 11 can be implemented by any of the devices 100 a,100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 100 f.

Embodiments of a touch sensor incorporated in an ear-worn electronicdevice are generally described herein as being coupled to chargecontacts of the device. It is understood that, according to someembodiments, a touch sensor of an ear-worn electronic device does notnecessarily need to be coupled to or use the charge contacts of thedevice. For example, cross pins or hinge pins of an ear-worn electronicdevice can serve as contacts for a touch sensor. In such embodiments,the electrical connections shown between touch sensor 138 and chargecontacts 146 in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 can be excluded. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 that include an auxiliary sensor 141,the auxiliary sensor 141 can be coupled to the charge contacts 146, thecontroller 120 or other power source or component. Moreover, an ear-wornelectronic device that incorporates a touch sensor can exclude chargecontacts altogether, and may instead incorporate a charger interfaceconfigured for wireless charging (e.g., inductive, radio frequency oroptical wireless charging). For example, the charger interface of anear-worn electronic device of the present disclosure can be configuredto implement inductive charging in accordance with the Qi open interfacestandard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium.

Although reference is made herein to the accompanying set of drawingsthat form part of this disclosure, one of at least ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of theembodiments described herein are within, or do not depart from, thescope of this disclosure. For example, aspects of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be combined in a variety of ways with each other.Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the claimed invention may be practiced other than as explicitlydescribed herein.

All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety into this disclosure, except tothe extent they may directly contradict this disclosure. Unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, andphysical properties used in the specification and claims may beunderstood as being modified either by the term “exactly” or “about.”Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parametersset forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims areapproximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing theteachings disclosed herein or, for example, within typical ranges ofexperimental error.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numberssubsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3,3.80, 4, and 5) and any range within that range. Herein, the terms “upto” or “no greater than” a number (e.g., up to 50) includes the number(e.g., 50), and the term “no less than” a number (e.g., no less than 5)includes the number (e.g., 5).

The terms “coupled” or “connected” refer to elements being attached toeach other either directly (in direct contact with each other) orindirectly (having one or more elements between and attaching the twoelements). Either term may be modified by “operatively” and “operably,”which may be used interchangeably, to describe that the coupling orconnection is configured to allow the components to interact to carryout at least some functionality (for example, a radio chip may beoperably coupled to an antenna element to provide a radio frequencyelectric signal for wireless communication).

Terms related to orientation, such as “top,” “bottom,” “side,” and“end,” are used to describe relative positions of components and are notmeant to limit the orientation of the embodiments contemplated. Forexample, an embodiment described as having a “top” and “bottom” alsoencompasses embodiments thereof rotated in various directions unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise.

Reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “certain embodiments,”or “some embodiments,” etc., means that a particular feature,configuration, composition, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of thedisclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various placesthroughout are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of thedisclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, configurations,compositions, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable mannerin one or more embodiments.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of thedisclosure that may afford certain benefits, under certaincircumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, underthe same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one ormore preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the disclosure.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used inthis specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generallyemployed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,”“comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, andgenerally mean “including, but not limited to.” It will be understoodthat “consisting essentially of” “consisting of,” and the like aresubsumed in “comprising,” and the like. The term “and/or” means one orall of the listed elements or a combination of at least two of thelisted elements.

The phrases “at least one of,” “comprises at least one of,” and “one ormore of” followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the listand any combination of two or more items in the list.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ear-worn electronic device, comprising: ahousing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer;electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing; acontroller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electroniccircuitry; a rechargeable power source and charging circuitryrespectively disposed in the housing, the charging circuitry coupled tothe controller and comprising first and second charge contacts situatedat a wall of the housing; and a user-actuatable control coupled to thecontroller and comprising a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprisingthe first and second charge contacts.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinthe user-actuatable control comprises at least one auxiliary sensorcoupled to the first and second charge contacts.
 3. The device of claim2, wherein the auxiliary sensor comprises a temperature sensor.
 4. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary sensor comprises one or more ofa motion sensor, an electrical sensor, an electrodermal activity sensor,and a physiologic sensor.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein theauxiliary sensor is situated at a location of the housing adjacent to,or between, the first and second charge contacts.
 6. The device of claim2, wherein the auxiliary sensor is situated at a location of the housingspaced away from the first and second charge contacts.
 7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the user-actuatable control comprises at least oneauxiliary sensor coupled to the controller.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein the auxiliary sensor comprises a temperature sensor.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is configured to sense for achange in an electrical or electrodermal property of skin in contactwith the first and second charge contacts.
 10. The device of claim 1,comprising: an activation sensor disposed in or on the housing andcoupled to the controller, the activation sensor configured to generatean activation signal in response to wearer contact with the housing;wherein the controller is configured to initiate a device setting,function or operation in response to the activation signal and a touchinput to the touch sensor by the wearer.
 11. The device according toclaim 10, wherein the activation sensor comprises at least one of amotion sensor and an electrical sensor.
 12. An ear-worn electronicdevice, comprising: a housing configured to be worn in, at or about anear of a wearer; audio processing circuitry disposed in or supported bythe housing and comprising one or more microphones and a speaker or areceiver; a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the audioprocessing circuity; a rechargeable power source and charging circuitryrespectively disposed in the housing, the charging circuitry coupled tothe controller and comprising first and second charge contacts situatedat a wall of the housing; and a user-actuatable control coupled to thecontroller and comprising a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprisingthe first and second charge contacts.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein the user-actuatable control comprises at least one auxiliarysensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts.
 14. The deviceof claim 13, wherein the auxiliary sensor comprises a temperaturesensor.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary sensorcomprises one or more of a motion sensor, an electrical sensor, anelectrodermal activity sensor, and a physiologic sensor.
 16. The deviceof claim 13, wherein the auxiliary sensor is situated at a location ofthe housing adjacent to, or between, the first and second chargecontacts.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary sensor issituated at a location of the housing spaced away from the first andsecond charge contacts.
 18. The device of claim 12, wherein theuser-actuatable control comprises at least one auxiliary sensor coupledto the controller.
 19. The device of claim 12, wherein the touch sensoris configured to sense for a change in an electrical or electrodermalproperty of skin in contact with the first and second charge contacts.20. The device of claim 12, comprising: an activation sensor disposed inor on the housing and coupled to the controller, the activation sensorconfigured to generate an activation signal in response to wearercontact with the housing; wherein the controller is configured toinitiate a device setting, function or operation in response to theactivation signal and a touch input to the touch sensor by the wearer.21. The device of claim 20, wherein the activation sensor comprises atleast one of a motion sensor and an electrical sensor.
 22. A methodimplemented by an ear-worn electronic device, comprising: sensing, by atouch sensor comprising charge contacts of the ear-worn electronicdevice, a touch input resulting from one or more events of contactbetween the touch sensor and a finger of a wearer of the device;generating, by the touch sensor, a touch signal in response to the touchinput; receiving the touch signal by a controller of the device; andimplementing, by the controller, a device setting, function or operationin response to the received touch signal.
 23. The method of claim 22,comprising: acquiring audio signals using one or more microphones of theear-worn electronic device; and producing audible sound using audioprocessing circuitry and a speaker or a receiver of the device.
 24. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the touch sensor senses for a change in anelectrical or electrodermal property of skin in contact with the firstand second charge contacts.
 25. The method of 22, comprising producingone or more sensor signals using one or more auxiliary sensors of theear-worn electronic device, wherein; at least one of the one or moreauxiliary sensors is operatively coupled to the charge contacts; and theone or more auxiliary sensors comprise one or more of a temperaturesensor, a motion sensor, an electrical sensor, an electrodermal activitysensor, a physiologic sensor, and a biometric sensor.